Cedartown man gets life in prison for beating death of Lindale man

A Cedartown man was sentenced to life in prison for the beating death of a Lindale painting contractor who he had a pay dispute with.

Floyd County Superior Court Judge Billy Sparks sentenced Corey Demarcus Gardhigh to life in prison on felony murder plus 12 months on a cruelty to children charge. He was found guilty on the charges in January after a trial.

Gardhigh had worked for Paul Anthony Grady, a painting contractor, at that time and the fight started over a dispute over a paycheck, said Assistant District Attorney Luke Martin.

Police say he argued with Grady over money and then attacked him while Gardhigh’s mother and his son were in the car outside of Grady’s home at 15 S. Central Ave. in Lindale.

Grady died at Floyd Medical Center the morning of Jan. 4, 2017, as a result of head injuries, according to Coroner Gene Proctor. Gardhigh was arrested around 11 p.m. that night as a result of a police investigation.

Gardhigh was initially charged with felony aggravated battery and misdemeanor simple battery and several counts of third-degree cruelty to children. Following Grady’s death, he was then charged with felony murder.